Gerry Kavanaugh, consultant, CEO, and SouthCoast resident, has been named Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Management at UMass Dartmouth effective September 2, 2014. Mr. Kavanaugh will serve in the Cabinet and will be administratively responsible for linking, prioritizing, and communicating strategic priorities between the campus' internal and external constituencies.

Functioning as the Chief Strategy Officer and collaborating with the Cabinet, he will help drive and implement decision-making that aligns and balances the campus' overall goals and the interests of all stakeholders. He will provide oversight of the SouthCoast Development Partnership, the Chancellor's Office, and the Leduc Center for Civic Engagement, as well as advise the Chancellor and Cabinet on legislative, regulatory, and policy activities.

"As we prepare to publicly launch and implement our strategic plan UMassDTransform2020, we are delighted that someone of Gerry's intellect, talent, and experience will soon join our team," said Chancellor Divina Grossman. "He will work closely with our internal and external constituents to encourage greater dialogue and engagement to propel this institution and the region forward."

Over the past several decades, Mr. Kavanaugh has served in a number of prominent management positions in government. From 1993 to 2001, he worked for Senator Edward M. Kennedy as both his Chief of Staff and Chief Economic Advisor. As Chief of Staff, he had administrative responsibility for about 75 staff members and managed personnel, budgeting, and policy. As the Senator's Economic Advisor, he worked with Massachusetts educational institutions, health care entities, and private businesses to facilitate their growth and expansion, particularly in creating jobs for Massachusetts residents.

In the last 10 years, Mr. Kavanaugh has founded and served as CEO of a number of ventures including DCS Congressional, an Internet communications firm; SouthCoast Connected, a non-profit organization focused on assisting disadvantaged children complete high school and enter college; and Higher Education Partners, a company that provides financing and technology for community colleges and universities. At present, he is the Chairman of the Economic Regeneration Committee in New Bedford, and serves on the boards of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, and New Directions South Coast.

Mr. Kavanaugh previously served as the Chief of Staff and Director of Institutional Development at the Boston Redevelopment Authority, where he managed the expansion of Boston's colleges, universities and hospitals. He also served as Policy Director for the Democratic National Committee, where he managed policy and communication with the leadership of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Early in his career, he was a city planner for the cities of Salem, Quincy, and Keene, New Hampshire.

Mr. Kavanaugh holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Lafayette College and a Master of Arts in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. Gerry is a native of Dartmouth, and currently lives in New Bedford with his wife Colleen.